Spring support for upholstered



sem.k 3o, V1941.

A. M. BANK 2,257,633

SPRING SUPPORT FOR UPHOLSTERED SEATS AND BAGKS Filed Oct. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I v Y P Sept. 30, 1941. A. M. BANK 2,257,633

` SPRING SUPPORT FOR UPHOLSTERED SEATS AND BAVcKs Filed oct. 25,. 1940 2 sheets-Sheet 2 f5. I P l z n v f l l ff INVENTOR.

wmf/14. .5A/wf Patented sepa 3o, 1941 UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE i SPRING SUPPORT FOB UPHOLSTEBED SEATS AND BACKS Application October 23, 1940, Serial No. 362,379

14 Claims.

This invention relates tospx'ing supports forl springs being so constructed that they will remain under tension and will not slap back when depressed below the level of the frame, said springs being furthermore so made that the arch therein may be regulated, and the resistance at various points in the spring may be varied.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a simple, strong, rugged and durable spring support of the character described, which shall be relatively cheapvto manufacture, easy to asf semble, which shall be comfortable to use, and yet practical and efficient to a high degree.

Other `objects of this invention will in part beobvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

'I'he invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments` of this invention:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a spring seat or back embodying the invention; g

Fig.2 is a cross-sectiona1 view taken on line 2`2 of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the springs before attachment to thetframe;

Fig'. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the method of attaching the springs to theframe;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one ofthe brackets or anchors for one of the spring;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line 6 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. lprins.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a spring embodying the invention, and illustrating a modified construction; and

I Fig. 9 is a view similar"to'Fig. 8, but illustrati ing a still further modified construction. 1 .Referring now` in detailto the'drawingsyll` y n 55 may then I begstruck vdown with aV hammer and` designates a spring support thein'ven- 7 is a perspective view of one end of the v tion for` an upholstered seat or back. The same comprises a frame II having side walls I2 and end walls I3. Mounted on the upper or front side of the frame I I, are a plurality of parallel springs I4 attached to the frame by means of Vbrackets I5. Each spring Il is made of a single elongated piece of resilient wire. Said spring may be of sinuous shape or zig-zag, as shown in the drawings. The spring thus comprises oppositely facing U-shaped. portions or turns I la. the arms of which may be parallel, or as shown in the drawings, divergent from the rounded ends of the U, as disclosed at I 4b. The spring I4 is preferably `normally arched longitudinally with a preset curvature. At the ends of the spring I4 are normally inwardly and downwardly inclined looped abutment portions I6. The normal length of the spring .I4 from end to end is preferably such that when the spring is attached to the frame, said spring must be stretched, as will appear hereinafter.

'I'he loop portions I5 form abutments to aid in returning the springs to normal position after a weight imposed upon the seat or back is removed therefrom. 'Ihe brackets I5 may be made of sheet metal and each comprises a wall contacting the outer surface of frame wall I2, and an inwardly projecting ledger or shoulder 2I at the upper end of wall 20 contacting the upper edge o f saidv wall. Extending upwardly from the shoulder 2| is a short vertical wall 22, from which there extends inwardly a wall 23 parallel to the `upper edge of frame wall I2 and formed with a v central opening 24, thus forming a pair of strips 23a on opposite sides of the central opening. Extending from wall 2,3, is a downwardly and outwardly curved portion 25, from which 'there extends a wall 28 contacting the top edge of frame wall I2, terminating short of wall 22. Wall 26 is l40 formed with a nail or screw hole V2". Wall 20 is also formed with a' pair of spaced nail or screw openings 2l. The -bracket I5 may be attached to y i wall I2 by first driving nails 3U through the openi ings 28.

'I'he'loop portion IG at one end of the spring I4 is then inserted into the bracket between the erably` substantially the same as the distance which separates the` vertical wall 22 from' the v downwardly and inwardly curved portion 25 ofv the bracket, so that' a comparatively light blow on the loop I6 will wedge the loop intothebracket.

A nail `II may then'ibeV driven through `the opening? 2'i'` down into! f frame' wall: y VLheIstrips 22a walls v23 and ,It The width of the 'loopis prefbent downwardly, as shown at 3l in Fig. 6. The width of the bracket is less than Athe length of the YAloop I8 so that the loop projects from opposite ends of the bracket. The downwardly struck strips 23a will therefore be disposed linside. the loop to prevent the spring from working itself loose from the bracket. With one end of the spring anchored, the other end is pulled with any suitable tool, so that the loop at the other end can be inserted Into the opposite bracket. After the second loop is inserted into the opposite bracket, the strips 23a of the' said bracket are bent by striking down with a hammer or other tool to preyent said other end of the spring from working loose.

It will be noted that the abutments I8 are' normally inclined downwardly and inwardly. In

attaching the spring Il to the frame, the spring willnot flatten the spring sufficiently lto set up' any compression forces, and the spring remains under tension. The abutments aid in causing the spring to spring back to its normal shape when a weight placed uponthe spring is removed therefrom. The abutments thus serve as cantilevers at both ends of the spring. 'I'he amount of stretching of the spring may be regulated to vary the arch. Furthermore, the angle of the abutments may be likewise varied depending upon the arch desired. y

Furthermore, one abutment I6 may be set at a Y different angle from the other abutment, so as to get more of a curvature at one end of the spring than at the other. This feature may be utilized when making backs where it is desired to have a greater curvature at the upper end of the spring than at the lower end.

gThe opposite parallel portions Ilia and I6b of loops I6 contact walls 22 and 25 of the brackets to prevent side sway of the springs I4. It will be noted that openings 24 in the brackets permit the'nails 33 to be driven through the nail holes 21. The loops I6 press downwardly on walls 2B of the brackets, thus lessening the tendency to pull the brackets out of place.

As the springs I4 are depressed the pressure is at rst outwardly on portions IGb of loops I6. If the springs are pressed below the level of the upper edge of the frame. the pressure is inwardly on the inner arms I Bq, of the looped portions, whereby the looped portions serve' as spring anchors at the ends of springs I4. I

If the springs are attached to a pair of coplaner frame walls, then wallsli of the brackets `will be in the same plane as walls 2I.

- It will now be,understood that the springs I4 are very easily attached to the frame, and when once attached thereto, will not loosen.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a spring 40 embodying the invention, and illustrating a modied form thereof. The spring 40 may be attached to the frame in the same manner as spring I l, and is similarly constructed except that the turns thereof decrease in width towards the middle.

Furthermore. as the width of the turns decrease,

annees the distance between the arms of the U-sliaped turns correspondingly decreases.

The smaller central turns being closer 'together, oder greater resistance than the outer turns which are more spaced apart. By making the central part of the spring with smaller turns, of less width between the arms of the U turns, softness at the middle of the spring is eliminated.

By varying the width of the turns of the spring' and the distance between turns, the resistance at different longitudinal points in the spring may be made to suit the desired purpose.

Iny Fig. 9 there is shown a spring 4I, similar to spring 40 except that the width of the turns increase towardsthe middle. The distance between the arms of the turns also increase toward the middle corresponding to the increase in the width of the turns.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved. and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.,

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A spring support comprising a frame having opposite parallel walls, a p air of brackets attached to said opposite walls, each bracket comprising a wall contacting the outer surface of the frame wall, a wall disposed above the upper surface of the frame wall, a wall extending therefrom and contacting said upper surfacel and a zig-zag shaped spring having looped ends disposed between the last mentioned walls of the brackets, and the walls of the brackets disposed above said upper surfaces being bent downwardly into said loops to hold said loops against coming out.

2. A spring support for upholstered furniture comprising a frame having opposite walls, pairs of brackets attached to said opposite walls, and longitudinally arched, sinuous shaped springs having inwardly extending, co-planer looped abutment portions at the ends thereof received in said brackets, said looped portions being normally inclined downwardly and inwardly when separated from said brackets.

' 3. A' spring support for upholstered furniture comprising a frame having opposite walls, pairs of brackets attached to said opposite walls, and longitudinally arched, sinuous shaped springs having inwardly extending, co-planer looped abutment portions at the ends thereof received insaid brackets, said looped portions being normally inclined downwardly and inwardly when separated from said brackets, and said springs being of less lengtlrv when unattached to the frame so as to require stretching to attach the looped ends to the brackets.

4. A spring support for upholstered furniture comprising a frame having opposite walls, pairs of brackets attached to said opposite walls, and longitudinally arched sinuous shaped springs having inwardly extending co-planer looped abutment portions at the ends thereof received in said brackets, said looped portions being normally inclined downwardly and inwardly when separated from said brackets, said brackets having portionsprojectinginto the looped portions to prevent accidentali vloosening of said looped portions from the brackets. h v

5. In upholstered furniture, a frame having opposite walls, Va pair of `brackets attached to said opposite walls, each bracket having a wall contacting the outer surface of said wall, a ledge extending inwardly from the upper end of the wall of said bracket and contacting the vupper surface of said frame wall, a wall extending upwardly from said ledge, a wall` extending in-l wardly from .said last wail disposed above the upper surface of said frame wall, a wall curved downwardly and outwardly extending from the 'wall disposed above the upper surface of said frame wall, and a wall extending `from said downwardly and outwardly curved walland contacting the upper surface of said frame wall, and a spring of zig-zag shape having at theends thereof inwardly extending loopedvportions' re` ceived between' the walls of the brackets which are disposed above the upper surfaces of said frame walls and the walls of said brackets which contact the upper surfaces of the frame walls.

6. In upholstered furniture, a frame having vopposite walls, a pair of brackets attached to said opposite walls, each bracket having a wall contacting the outer surface of said wall, a-ledge extending inwardly from the upper end of the wall of said bracket and contacting the upper surface of said frame wall, a wall extending up.

of the frame walls being formed with one or more openings to receivel fastening means driven l through said openings into the frame walls, and the walls of said brackets which contact the upper surfaces of said frame walls being formed with openings to receive fastening means driven therethrough into the frame walls.

8. In upholstered furniture, a frame having opposite walls, a pair of brackets attachedto said opposite walls, each bracket having a wall contacting the outer surface of said wal1,a ledge extending inwardly from the upper end of the wall of said bracket and contacting the upper surface of said frame wall, a wall extending up-l wardly from said ledge, a wall extending inwardly from said last wall disposed above the upper surface of said frame, a wall curved down` wardly and outwardly extending from the wall disposed above the upper surface of said frame wall, and a wall extending from said downwardly and outwardly curved wall and contacting the upper surface of said frame wall, and a spring of zigzag shape having at the ends thereof inwardly extending looped portions received between the walls of the brackets which are disposed above the upper surfaces of said frame posed above the upper surfaces of said frame A walls and the walls of said brackets which contact the upper surfaces of the frame walls, said -looped portions having parallel arms contacting thewalls which extend upwardly from the ledges and the downwardly and inwardly curved walls of said brackets.

7. In. upholstered furniture, a frame having opposite walls, a pair of brackets attached to said opposite walls, each bracket having a wall contacting the outer surface of said wall, a ledge extending inwardly from the upper 4end of the wall of said upper surface of said frame Wall, a wall extending upwardly from said ledge, a Wall extending' inwardly from said last wall disposed above the upper surface 'of said frame wall, a wallA curved downwardly and outwardly extending from the wall disposed above the upper surface of said frame wall, and a wall extending from said downwardly and outwardly curved wall and contacting the upper surface of said frame wall, and a spring of zigzag shape having at the ends thereof Ainwardly extending looped portions received between the wallsof the brackets which are disposed above the upper surfaces of said frame walls and the walls of said brackets ywhich contact the upper surfaces of the' frame Walls, said looped portions having parallel arms contacting the Walls which extend upwardly from the ledges and the downwardly and inwardly curved walls of said brackets, the walls of the bracket which contact the outer surfaces walls and the walls of said brackets which contact the upper surfaces of the frame walls, said looped portions having parallel arms contacting the walls which extend upwardly from the ledges and the downwardly and inwardly curved walls of said brackets, the walls of the bracket which contact the outer surfaces of the frame walls being formed with one or more openings to receive fastening means driven through said openings into the frame walls, and the walls of said brackets which contact the upper surfaces of said frame walls being formed with openings to receive fastening means driven therethrough into 4the frame walls, the turns oi.' the zig-zag shaped spring decreasing in width and in the distance between the turns from the outer ends of the spring towards the middle.`

9. A spring support forv upholstered furniture, comprising a'frame andv a. normally longitudinally arched, zigzag shaped spring having at the ends thereof abutment portions extending inwardly beneath the underside of the body of the spring, and means for attaching said Vabutment portions to said frame, the straight line distance between the ends of the spring being less when the spring is unattached from the frame than when attached to the frame, s o as to require stretching of the spring in order to attach the same to the frame, and said abutment portions being flexed inwardly toward the underside of the body of the spring when attaching said abutment portions to the frame, whereby said abuti. ments are adapted to spring outwardly from the underside of the body of the spring when said` abutments are separated from said frame, the width of the turns of said spring decreasing from the outer ends of the spring towards the middle of the spring.

10. A spring s'upport for upholstered furnil abutment portions to, said frame, the straight line distance between the ends ofthe spring being less when the spring is unattached from the frame than when attached to the frame, so as to require stretching of the spring in order to attach the same to the frame, and said abutment portions being flexed inwardly toward the underside of the body of the spring when attaching said abutment portions to the frame, whereby saidabutments are adapted to spring outwardly from the underside of the body of the spring lwhen said abutments are separated from said frame, the Width of the turns of said spring decreasing from the outer ends of the spring to wards the middle of the spring, and the distance between the arms of the turns of said spring decreasing from the outer ends of the spring assumes ends inwardly extending abutment portions. the turns of said spring decreasing in 'width from the outer ends towards the middle, the distance between arms of the turns of the spring de` t creasing from the outer ends towards the middle.

13. A spring for a spring support made of resllient Wire and of sinuous shape, a plurality 'of f turns of said spring decreasing in width from the outer ends of the spring toward the middle of the spring, the end turns of said spring extending inwardly beneath the underside of the main body of the spring to form resilient looped abutment portions at the ends of the spring.

14. A spring support comprising a frame, a pair of brackets on the frame, and a longitudinally arched, zigzag shaped spring, the ends whereof are attached to the frame by means of ysaid brackets, the turns of said spring decreasing in width and in distance between arms of said turns, from the outer ends of the spring toward the middle of said spring.

' ALBERT M. BANK. 

